Little Black Dress | Week 2 Self-Reflection
The stress reaction refers to how we respond or react to stress. Each of us responds differently to stress. Women have been reported to have a greater amount of “high distress” days and fewer “distress-free” days than men. In other words, women don’t hold onto their stress more; they just experienced more episodes of being stressed. Review the following list and identify how often you experience each item in response to stress.
I notice the following physical symptoms to stress:
- Headache
- Change in appetite
- Fatigue
- Interrupted sleep
- Indigestion
- Lower back pain
I notice the following psychological responses to stress:
- Sadness or depression
- Difficulty concentrating
- Feeling inadequate
- Feeling emotionally drained
- Forgetful
- Anxious
In my behavior, I notice:
- Decreased productivity
- Increased irritability and anger
- Increased eating and snacking
- Increased smoking and drinking
- Desired not to be bothered by others
Now that you know your major sources of stress and how you respond to too much stress, you can learn to manage it more effectively. Having an awareness of your personal coping methods and a willingness to change ineffective or harmful ones are the most important keys to success. Feel free to contact Jaime anytime for recommendations on ways you can improve in these areas.